President Trump wants executive order ending birthright citizenship

US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before departing for a rally on October 27, 2018 in Murphysboro, Illinois. (Photo by Nicholas Kamm / AFP) (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

President Trump wants executive order ending birthright citizenship

US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before departing for a rally on October 27, 2018 in Murphysboro, Illinois. (Photo by Nicholas Kamm / AFP) (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says he wants to order the end of the constitutional right to citizenship for babies of non-citizens and unauthorized immigrants born in the United States.

The president’s comments to “Axios on HBO” come amid a renewed push for hardline immigration policies before the midterm elections. Trump believes focusing on immigration will energize his supporters and help Republicans keep control of Congress.

Trump declares he can end birthright citizenship with an executive order: "It was always told to me that you needed a constitutional amendment. Guess what? You don't." pic.twitter.com/CAK07Kt11D

Revoking birthright citizenship would spark a court fight over the president’s unilateral ability to change an amendment to the Constitution. The 14th Amendment guarantees that right for children born in the U.S.

Asked about the legality of such an executive order, Trump said “they’re saying I can do it just with an executive order.”

Trump says White House lawyers are reviewing his proposal. It’s unclear how quickly he’d act on an executive order.